YOKE DU YOUR
Suzy and her dumb husband live in Toledo, Ohio. One winter morning while listening to the radio, they hear the announcer say, “We are going to have 8 to 10 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the even numbered side of the street, so the snowplow can get through.” Suzy’s husband goes out and moves his car.
A week later while they are eating breakfast, the radio announcer says, “We are expecting 10 to 12 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the odd numbered side of the street, so the snowplow can get through.”
Suzy’s husband goes out and moves his car again.
The next week they are having breakfast again, when the radio announcer says “We are expecting 12 to 14 inches of snow today. You must park………..” then the electric power goes out.
Suzy’s husband is very upset, and with a worried look on his face she says, “Honey, I don’t know what to do.” Which side of the street do I need to park on so the snowplow can get through?
With the love and understanding in her voice like all women who are married to a dummy, Suzy says, “Why don’t you just leave it in the garage this time?”
ARTspiration
Artists or art that turns me on and feeds my muse! Like it or dislike it, what about this art inspires your own art or creativity? This is Grigorii Pavlychev‘s “Reclining Nude.”
DESIGNspiration
Look around you. Design is everywhere! How can you incorporate the beauty that surrounds you into your art or craft? Fabulous bone china designed by Bodo Sperlein for Nikko.
IDEA I LOVE
I have always loved these festive ornament wreaths for both inside and outside at Christmas time. They are really easy to make once you get started, and it is a great way to use up old ornaments that you want to retire from your tree, so you can buy new ornaments for a different look this year. Here’s how you make them:
http://www.livelovediy.com/2012/12/christmas-ornament-wreath.html
IDEA I LOVE
I know that many of you are not jewelry makers but I really like this project because it is pretty straightforward and easy. This is the DIY 12 Days of Christmas Charm Bracelet that requires very little jewelry making experience, yet will dress up all of your holiday attire. Why not give it a try? Here’s how:
http://www.rings-things.com/blog/2014/10/20/diy-12-days-of-christmas-charm-bracelet/.VH-MqIvJ6i8
YUMMY DISH!
APRES-SKI SOUP
INGREDIENTS:
butter
acorn squash
carrot
leek
reduced-sodium chicken broth
zucchini
uncooked elbow macaroni
bay leaf
dried basil
dried thyme
salt
pepper
FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/-apres-ski–soup#ixzz3Ks3ekcyv
IDEA I LOVE
Not only are these star lanterns romantic, they also prove some kind of mathematical formula or another… There are 12 sides to each one of these lanterns. Instead of lining up your driveway and sidewalk with paper bags filled with sand and a candle this Christmas, maybe you might want to make a dozen or so of these and like them using the battery-operated flicker candles? Boy, I like these. Make a few this holiday season:
http://www.happinessishomemade.net/2011/01/10/dodecahedron-star-lantern-tutorial/
SO DRINK, CHUG-A-LUG CHUG-A-LUG
QUICK BRANDY EGGNOG
Ingredients:
milk
brandy
simple syrup
egg yolk
Directions: http://cocktails.about.com/od/cocktailrecipes/r/eggng.htm
IF YOU HAVEN’T SUBSCRIBED TO THIS BLOG YET:
For well over 2 years, I have been posting up to 20 links per day or every other day, on the Mark Lipinski’s Fan Pageon Facebook. Of course, in Facebook’s never ending quest to make lots of money, Facebook seems to have abandoned their mission of a real social networking site and it has become more about Facebook revenue.
Several months ago, Facebook, without warning, had implemented a new business model. As a result, the vast majority of “LIKErs” who have been faithful readers of this Fan Page have been blocked from receiving my posts, time and time again, from getting all or a few of the postings onto their timeline feed.
The reason is, Facebook would like pages like, Mark Lipinski’s Fan Page, to pay money every day, and on every post, in order to advertise and lure readers like you, onto the Fan Page.
With out “BOOSTING” a post, only about 5% of people who clicked LIKE on the Fan Page are actually seeing anything I post — and it could be random – sometimes you get a post, and sometimes not. Basically, it sucks for all of us. I am finding that we are all better served if I posted my tips, ideas, links, and jokes, etc. to my blog. You can subscribe to my blog (only if you wan to) and get an email each time I post a grouping of ideas, links, etc.
I AM NOT shutting down Mark Lipinski’s Fan Page on Facebook and you are welcome to follow me there, too. What I am doing is putting everything that used to be on the Fan Page individually onto my blog, AND there will be a daily link to the idea blog on the Fan Page, just as there were multiple links to the various blogs that I’ve always linked to in the past. It’s not that different, really. It will save me a lot of time, and guarantee those who want to see the creative posts will actually get to see them. And Facebookers, will STILL have to click on “GET NOTIFICATIONS” in your Facebook Settings if they want to see what I post on Facebook (sometimes that works, but not all of the time).
Actually, my new model gives you at least TWO ways to get all of the ideas, etc. PLUS you can PIN them and they will be TAGGED so you can find them again in the search bar even years later. – through the FACEBOOK FAN PAGE and YOUR CHOICE (not mandatory) to subscribe to the blog and get email postings that way.
BREATHLESS INSPIRATION!
OMG! What I wouldn’t give for an embroidery lesson with Cayce Zavaglia! Her art is all handwork using cotton, silk thread and crewel embroidery wool. When I see amazing work like this, I want to hang myself! LOL OMG!
IDEA I LOVE
You still have time to make it to your local secondhand shop to find yourself a striking old sweater to upcycle into a toasty pair of fingerless gloves. Gosh, even an idiot like me could make these! Here’s how you do it:
http://www.fiberartsy.com/crafts-diy/easy-fingerless-gloves-from-a-sweater/
IDEA I LOVE
When I grew up, we always use the same stockings year after year. The same is true in my family now. But these simple to sew Christmas stockings would be perfect as a gift carrier, or even to freshen up the look of your Christmas mantle this year. Here’s how you make these (but you might want to use plastic covered fabric to avoid the staining coal dust):
http://sewscrumptious.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/christmas-stocking-tutorial-and-pattern.html
WORDS TO LIVE BY
IDEA I LOVE
This welcome banner is so easy to make and really reasonably priced, too. It’s all made out of felt and glue. Personally, I would either machine or hand appliqué these letters down so that I could be guaranteed to use the banner year after year. Check this out to make a banner for yourself:
http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2012/12/my-entry.html
MAN CAN LIVE BY BREAD ALONE!
CHOCOLATE BABKA
HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
warm milk, 110 degrees
active dry yeast
sugar
eggs
egg yolks
all-purpose flour,
salt
unsalted butter
semisweet chocolate
ground cinnamon
heavy cream
FOR THE FULL RECIPES, CLICK THE LINKS: http://bakerbynature.com/chocolate-babka/
MEMBA?
1971 Vintage General Electric Lighted Makeup Mirror.
And now a word from our sponsor . . .
COOKIES!
FUDGE CRINKLES
(A great 4-ingredient cake mix cookie)
HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
Devil’s food cake mix (Betty Crocker Super Moist suggested)
vegetable oil
eggs
confectioners’ sugar or granulated sugar, for rolling
FOR THE FULL RECIPES, CLICK THE LINKS: http://www.food.com/recipe/fudge-crinkles-a-great-4-ingredient-cake-mix-cookie-32614
IDEA I LOVE!
I fell in love with this idea. All you have to do is create fabric using the tutorial and old recipes from your mother or grandmother’s or favorite person’s old recipe box. What a nice way to celebrate memories every time you cook. Almost makes me weepy. Start here:
http://www.mamasaywhat.com/real-diy-recipe-card-kitchen-towels/
BE DAZZLED!
Enameled Antique Bejeweled Brooch Pendant, $7,900
PATCHWORK, BABY!
If your table is large enough this would be a perfect table runner, if not, it’s a pretty good bed scarf/rug. The pattern is pretty easy, and you could make this scrappy or not depending on your mood. As a matter of fact, it doesn’t even have to be a Christmas piece if you choose to a different coloration. Have fun making it! Here’s the pattern:
http://www.quiltersworld.com/newsletters.php?mode=article&article_id=3637
SHOEspiration
ANGYL BY Y.R.U., $99.95
WHAT I LOVE
Just because. It looks like white fondant cut with little cookie cutters with snowflakes made of royal icing. What cake doesn’t look great with nonpareils? So pretty on that pale Tiffany Blue fondant icing.
DESSERT!
CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY MOUSSE CAKE
HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
For the Brownie Layer:
all-purpose flour
unsweetened cocoa powder
salt
baking powder
unsalted butter
granulated sugar
eggs, at room temperature
vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Mousse:
semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
heavy cream, divided use
salt
unflavored powdered gelatin
tbsp water
For the Raspberry Mousse:
fresh raspberries
white chocolate, finely chopped
heavy cream, divided use
salt
unflavored powdered gelatin
water
Pink food coloring, optional
For the Vanilla Mousse:
white chocolate, finely chopped
heavy cream, divided use
honey
salt
unflavored powdered gelatin
water
vanilla bean paste (can substitute vanilla extract)
To Finish:
semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
heavy cream
fresh raspberries
Chocolate curls or other decorations
FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE: http://www.sugarhero.com/chocolate-raspberry-mousse-cake/
ORNAMENT COUNTDOWN!
Since ugly Christmas sweaters have become so popular you might want to create a set for decorating your Christmas tree or giving as favors to your holiday guests. The tutorial gives you some cute ornaments, but I know that with your creativity you can really ugly them up quite a bit. Put on your thinking cap and bring out the glitter! Here’s how to make your ornaments:
http://craftsbyamanda.com/2014/12/ugly-sweater-ornaments.html
IDEA I LOVE
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a pie or casserole carrier like this. I guess because it’s square. It kind of reminds me of the purse that Miss Irene Molloy carried in Hello Dolly! I digress. Don’t be caught red-handed carrying a hot casserole or pie. Now you have something to carry them in. Here’s how:
http://craftygemini.com/2011/12/casserole-or-pie-carrier-tutorial.html
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR THE TUTORIAL!
Did You Miss Saturday’s Book Reviews?
Check it out here: http://marklipinskisblog.wordpress.com/2014/11/29/its-book-review-saturday-2/
SLOW STITCHING
You will love hearing about textile artist, Liz Kettle‘s, daily meditation stitching and her thoughts on The Slow Stitching Movement! Listen to her podcast here:
http://www.slowstitching.com/podcasts.html
The Slow Stitching Movement Podcast’s are sponsored by Aurifil
STASH SLASHING!
One creative’s hoard is another creative’s treasure . . . read on:
When I began The Slow Stitching Movement I asked stitchers and quilters to reduce their impact on the planet and their creative psyches by letting go of the stash of books, papers, patterns fabrics, and tools that they have been collecting over many years and haven’t used. I have been preaching to myself. So, in an effort to put my money where my mouth is, to open my creativity by being less boxed in by ‘stuff’, I have begun posting boxes of book and fabric bundles on eBay for various charities.
Here’s how I price the packages . . . I research the amount an individual could buy each of these books or fabricss, pre-owned, at their lowest online price. I total the price, split it in half and add Priority Mail Flat Rate Shipping (about $12.65). Then I add a little surprise from my stash as a bonus (it could be extra fabrics, a book ,or notion).
I WILL BE ADDING AT LEAST ONE NEW PRIORITY MAIL BOX FULL OF GOODIES
TO THE eBAY LISTINGS EVERY DAY!
Please visit my eBay store to do me, you, and a few of my local charities a favor and check out my eBay store for what I’ve listed each day:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/toughnj/m.html?item=111525554371&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562
Here are today’s listings:
20 Batik Fat Quarters! Shipping Included.
9 VINTAGE Quilting Books & 10 Fat Quarters! Lowest Price!
11 Awesome Quilting Books & 12 Fat Quarters!
18 Pastel Quilt Shop Quality Cotton Moda Fat Quarters! Shipping Included!
12 WONDERFUL Knitting and Crochet Books!
9 New Arts & Crafts Books! Paper! Beading! Jewelry! Quilt Design! Plaster! etc.
6 Quilt, Knit, and Crochet Books from Saturday’s Book Review!
5+ uncut yards Beautiful South Seas Quilting Fabric, Free Shipping
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